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Elmer Gantry

Play trailer Poster for Elmer Gantry 1960,  2h 25m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 94% 33 Reviews Tomatometer 87% 2,500+ Ratings Popcornmeter
94% Tomatometer 33 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
When hedonistic but charming con man Elmer Gantry (Burt Lancaster) meets the beautiful Sister Sharon Falconer (Jean Simmons), a roadside revivalist, he feigns piousness to join her act as a passionate preacher. The two make a successful onstage pair, and their chemistry extends to romance. Both the show and their relationship are threatened, however, when one of Gantry's ex-lovers (Shirley Jones) decides that she has a score to settle with the charismatic performer.

Critics Reviews

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Dan Jardine Slant Magazine Aug 6, 2010
80/100
The film pulls few punches in its story of the hypocrisy, materialism, and opportunism at the heart of the evangelical world of Bible-thumping barnstorming revival troupes Go to Full Review
Variety Staff Variety Apr 8, 2008
Brooks honors the spirit of Lewis' cynical commentary on circus-type primitive exhortation with pictorial imagery that is always pungent. He also has written dialog that is frank and biting. Go to Full Review
Kim Newman Empire Magazine Apr 8, 2008
4/5
This gets progressively nastier and winds up with an impressive hellfire finish. Go to Full Review
Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Jan 20, 2026
[Burt] Lancaster harnesses all his physical vigor and natural charisma for this role, literally throwing himself into his preaching with the vigor of an acrobat and the sing-song delivery of a gospel singer. Go to Full Review
Gerri Major Jet Magazine Jan 17, 2024
The film does not attack the church; it exposes those who misuse religion for profit and turn the solemnity of our church service into a revival circus. The result of Brooks’ license with the novel is a motion picture that holds you spellbound. Go to Full Review
Yasser Medina Cinefilia Nov 14, 2021
7/10
Every preached word that comes out of Lancaster's mouth elevates the film's dramatic potential and illuminates the scenes like a miracle fallen from heaven. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Feb 1, 2019 The best movie ever made! With the best movie score ever composed!
Kylo G Mar 25, 2018 The film pulls few punches in its story of the hypocrisy, materialism, and opportunism at the heart of the evangelical world of Bible-thumping barnstorming revival troupes. See more
Hermione S Sep 25, 2017 This is one of the greatest films of all time and I am in a frozen shock after watching it. Not realizing I'd come to think that, it matches up with North By Northwest, another one of the greatest films of all time and my most favorite Hitchcock film. See more
Albus W Jan 5, 2017 A great film with fine work from Lancaster and Simmons. The awards were deserved.
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Elmer Gantry

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Richard Brooks

Director

Burt Lancaster

Elmer Gantry

Jean Simmons

Sister Sharon Falconer

Dean Jagger

William L. Morgan

Shirley Jones

Lulu Bains

Arthur Kennedy

Jim Lefferts

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Elmer Gantry

Elmer Gantry (1960) Elmer Gantry (1960) Elmer Gantry (1960) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When hedonistic but charming con man Elmer Gantry (Burt Lancaster) meets the beautiful Sister Sharon Falconer (Jean Simmons), a roadside revivalist, he feigns piousness to join her act as a passionate preacher. The two make a successful onstage pair, and their chemistry extends to romance. Both the show and their relationship are threatened, however, when one of Gantry's ex-lovers (Shirley Jones) decides that she has a score to settle with the charismatic performer.
Director
Richard Brooks
Screenwriter
Richard Brooks, Sinclair Lewis
Distributor
United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
United Artists
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 7, 1960, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 22, 2017
Runtime
2h 25m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm, 1.66:1
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